Discussion: Flow
in: Orienteering; General
Apr 23, 2008 5:19 PM
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In my previously life I was an avid rock climber. Some of my most remarkable climbing performances were marked by a state of mind that some people would describe as "flow". Others might call it being "in the zone" or "in the groove". When I was in that flow state, I seemed to be not thinking much at all about how to climb. I was simply climbing. My body just seemed to naturally know when and how to move to complete the climb. Attaining this state of mind was a rarity, though it happened more often the more I trained.
I think that Orienteering is a more intellectual activity than climbing, we actually read while we run, and therefore o-flow (I am allowed to add an "o" to any word, right?) might be more difficult to achieve. I certainly have never experienced flow on a course. Do any orienteers experience flow?
I think that Orienteering is a more intellectual activity than climbing, we actually read while we run, and therefore o-flow (I am allowed to add an "o" to any word, right?) might be more difficult to achieve. I certainly have never experienced flow on a course. Do any orienteers experience flow?
Apr 23, 2008 5:24 PM
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While I'm not a fast orienteer, when I'm having a good run--i.e., not making errors--I feel I have flow, especially in the faster options such as Middle and Sprint. Maybe it just takes years and years of practice. :-) I suspect some of the stronger (faster) folks who compete at the world level feel this too.
Apr 23, 2008 5:57 PM
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I'm much like JanetT, i'm not that fast an orienteer and still learning a ton! and have a long way to go to being a good orienteer. However that being said i have to say i felt as if i had flow on the sprint this saturday and even a little bit on the relay on sunday. So i think maybe yes it is possible where you kinda just know where to go.
Apr 23, 2008 6:26 PM
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I'm pretty sure Tero has described this flow state in his winning stories of World Champ (esp 2003), but cant find them on the net right now.
Personally, I rarely felt such a flow. Best I can have is when I feel or know that the control is gonna be there, but I dont have such a flow on the whole course. I can feel like I have a flawless run, not a in-the-flow run - because I always have to struggle with my concentration, my stamina, the terrain, etc. As Janet said, I think it takes quite long and dedicated training habits to feel it.
Personally, I rarely felt such a flow. Best I can have is when I feel or know that the control is gonna be there, but I dont have such a flow on the whole course. I can feel like I have a flawless run, not a in-the-flow run - because I always have to struggle with my concentration, my stamina, the terrain, etc. As Janet said, I think it takes quite long and dedicated training habits to feel it.
Apr 23, 2008 7:12 PM
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ken:
yeah, "flow" is the [english] word used in orienteering. here are a few relevant bits from spike's blog
http://okansas.blogspot.com/search?q=flytt
http://okansas.blogspot.com/search?q=flyt
http://okansas.blogspot.com/2006/08/klas-karlssons...
http://okansas.blogspot.com/search?q=flytt
http://okansas.blogspot.com/search?q=flyt
http://okansas.blogspot.com/2006/08/klas-karlssons...
This discussion thread is closed.